Using Your Purchase Card to Buy Biobased Products

Linda MesarosU.S. Department of Agriculture

2010 GSA SmartPay ® Training Conference

Discussion Topics

• What is a Biobased Product?

• Statutory Requirements

• Why Purchase BioPreferred Products?

• What is BioPreferred?

• Tools for Purchase Card Holders

• USDA Walking the Walk

• Your Next Steps…

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What is a Biobased Product?

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• Biobased products are those the Secretary of Agriculture determines to be composed in whole or large part of renewable agricultural or forestry materials

• Biobased products can include plant, animal, and marine materials.

Biobased Products Include:

Hand cleaners Multi-purpose cleaners

Engine Oils Graffiti and grease removers

Cutlery Adhesive and mastic removers

Laundry Products

Statutory Requirements

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• 2008 Farm Bill

• 2002 Farm Bill

• Executive Order (EO) 13514

Signed October 2009

• Executive Order (EO) 13423

Signed January 2007

• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

updated for BioPreferred Nov 2008

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Federal Purchasing Power

• The Federal government alone owns and operates nearly 500,000 buildings.

• The Federal government spends $500 billion annually on goods and services.

Why Purchase BioPreferred Products?

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• Increase our energy security and independence

• Spur economic development

• Improve our environment

• Meet legislative mandates and regulatory requirements

What is BioPreferred?

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• USDA brand name for Biobased Markets Program established in Farm Bill 2002/2008

• Identifies and seeks to establish new markets for biobased products

• Two program parts– Federal procurement preference program

– Voluntary labeling program

USDA’s Role in BioPreferred Procurement Preference

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• Establish Guidelines (published January 11, 2005)

• Designate BioPreferred items -- generic groupings of biobased products -- that receive procurement preference

• Establish BioPreferred model procurement program

Designated Items

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• 50 items have been designated

• More than 5,000 products represented

• Many products that can be

bought using purchase cards:

– Facility Operations and Maintenance

Products

– Janitorial/Cleaning Products

– Vehicle Maintenance Products

– Cafeteria

Items Purchased Via P-Cards

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Construction/Facility Operations

De-Icers Paint Removers/Strippers

Janitorial

Carpet Cleaners Glass Cleaners Graffiti/Grease Removers Hand Cleaners Floor Cleaners

VehicleMaintenance

Greases Lubricants

AbilityOne Items

Glass & Bathroom Cleaners Absorbents Disposable Cutlery Graffiti Remover Hand Cleaners & Sanitizer Pens & Highlighters

Basics

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• Formerly Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Program

– AbilityOne is the program name

– SKILCRAFT is the product brand name

– JWOD is the law supporting the program

• Mission: Provide employment opportunities for people who are blind or severely disabled

– Employs more than 40,000 people

• Federal Government Purchased $2.3 billion of products and services in 2006

AbilityOne & BioPreferred

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• More than 40 products provided through AbilityOne are BioPreferred Products:

– Absorbents

– Cleaners & Degreasers

– Food Service Flatware

– Office Products & Pens

– Personal Care Cleaners

– Laundry Detergent

• NSNs and product descriptions can be found in AbilityOne catalog:

– www.abilityonecatalog.com

BioPreferred Labeling

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Labeling Program

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• Voluntary labelingprogram will allowproduct vendors to usea USDA logo to identifyqualifying products.

• Final rule is in process.

Tools For Purchase Card Holders

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• Online training about BioPreferred and all other green purchasing programs and how to purchase these products

• Classroom training – our staff will come to you and explain if requested

• Fact sheets prepared specifically for purchase card holders

• www.biopreferred.gov website

– Online catalog of

BioPreferred items

Tools: Website

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USDA Walking the Walk

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• USDA letter to all Cabinet Secretaries.

• Reminder that purchasing biobased products creates new green jobs and new markets for farmers, manufacturers, and vendors.

• Secretary Vilsack calls on Chief Acquisition Officers to support the BioPreferred program through direct purchases and in service contracts.

USDA Walking the Walk

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• USDA Green Purchasing

Plan

• USDA Advantage

• USDA bioproduct use

– Green Bottle water in

USDA cafeterias

– BioGreen® fertilizer

applied to Whitten lawn

– Biobased roof coatingon USDA facility in WV

USDA Walking the Walk

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Biobased drain cleaner used in USDA cafeteria kitchen

Federal BioPreferred Product Use

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• Security Bins – (DOT/TSA) -- Used in many airports.

Your Next Steps / “Take-Aways”

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• Learn more about BioPreferred-designated items

• Share what you know with fellow purchase card holders

• Next time your supervisor or group needs a product,

Think first…is a BioPreferred item available?

• Purchase BioPreferred products to meet your needs

• Communicate with us and let us know!

For Further Information

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• Ron Buckhalt, Program Manager BioPreferred Program

ronb.buckhalt@da.usda.gov 202-205-4008

• Website: www.biopreferred.gov

• Linda Mesaros linmesaros@aol.com 843-452-6428